The Blessing of a great attitude
Acts 2:4 NKJV “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
(tongues is more than just another language, the language is the outward display of how you effectively communicate the spiritual mind set, culture and values that come from our KING, AND there are multiple benefits to the Baptism in the Holy Spirit)
Let’s go a bit further back in Acts to see the Promise more clearly:-
Let’s BACKTRACK FURTHER:-
John 14:26 NKJV “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”
Helper:- Paraclete (comforter) one called alongside to assist you (Advocate) He is the 3rd person of the trinity, He is God The Father sent Him:-
- He will teach you
- He will remind you, so that we can be FULL OF POWER!
This is a “statement” of confirmation that we are all called to be disciples because a disciple is someone who “follows with the intention of becoming” a learner or a student!
What happens when to Holy Spirit teaches you and reminds you how much JESUS loves you and is on your side, it changes and helps your ATTITUDE become one of FAITH!
ATTITUDE:- a settled way of thinking or feeling that results in how we act, look and speak about things! OR an outward display of your inward position towards life and people in general!
There are 4 Primary Attitudes:
- Positive (choosing to believe the best / Helpful and Uplifting)
- Negative (ignoring the good things and expecting nothing but failure or disappointment)
- Neutral (Lazy, passive and ignore there responsibility while waiting for someone else to do it for them.
- Sikken (a combination of 2&3 with a destructive or aggressive edge, refusing to make a change that is rooted in one’s personality)
The Holy Spirit and the Word of God working in your life will produce a Positive Attitude, It’s very well communicated in Scripture:
Ps 27:3 though a host encamp us, we will remain confident
Rom 8:31 if God be for us…
Phl 4:13 I can do all things…
1Co 5:17 if any man be in Christ
2Ti 1:7 God has not given us a spirit of fear but of…
Rom 8:37 yet in all these things we are more than conquerors…
Here’s the “reality check” which of these attitudes is dominant in your life….?? Because we are a Church who has Vision & Faith WE are Moving forward in UNITY to TRUST God to overcome and accomplish our next assignment AND BEEN AROUND the other three attitudes will drag us back and hold us up…..?????
Backtrack to the Ascension of Christ: Acts 1:9-10
Luke 24:50-53 NKJV “And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.”
HE BLESSED THEM…
Blessed: yoo-log-eh’-o
– To be celebrated & set Apart
– To speak well off
– To confer Favor upon
– To become the object of blessing!
This powerful moment is a reminder and reflection back to the Old Covenant and the blessing declared over God’s chosen people in Numbers
Numbers 6:24-27 KJV “The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.”
The significance and authority of this “blessing prayer” was not in the pray alone but in the one who commissioned it:
Numbers 6:22-23 KJV “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them,”
The Hebrew word is Barak:
In this instance meaning “to kneel and receive a blessing” (THIS Carries the idea of presenting a gift or giving honor to another).
Note the Pictograph speaks of a cross and an ox (they would mark a spot ahead with the cross so the oxen (strength) would move in a straight line or right direction.
Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.””
A picture of JESUS and not relying on your works or earning HIS FAVOR, but your Faith, believing the finished work of Christ (REST)
– Stop looking to your own ability
– Look with spiritual eyes not natural
– Receive and practice the Word
- The Holy Spirit Will connect you to the Glory of JESUS and His Resurection that’s what produces God’s Results
Luke 24v52-53 NKJV And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.”
- They Worshipped
- They had Joy
- They stayed Connected
The BLESSING produced a Positive Attitude in them that created the atmosphere for them to be in one accord to receive the EMPOWERING for ministry!
Acts 1:8 NKJV “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Receive: to take hold of violently, not passive but to “seize” as your own!
Power (Dunamis):- a force, a miracle, power and strength
– To make things possible
– To produce the resources
– Favourable circumstances
– To be giving permission
Matthew 11:11-12 NKJV “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.”
Acts 1:10-11 NKJV “And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.””
Heaven declares and confirms JESUS will be returning for His Church, so don’t lose heart, have an attitude of gratitude towards God for what He is doing and keep moving forward with a positive faith filled attitude.
Stop gazing or even wondering about things it leads to complacency ARISE and serve the Lord!
A REFRESHING AND THE BLESSING that lead to good works led and inspired by the Spirit and our carnal manmade effort, leads to other’s encountering JESUS, getting saved and a vibrant atmosphere in the local church that is contagious and uplifting!
Mark 16:14-20 NKJV “Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.”
